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Edguy - King Of Fools

Edguy - King Of Fools
Released: 2004
Label: Nuclear Blast / Nuclear Blast
Cat. No.: NB 1240
Total Time: 21:30

Reviewed by: Duncan N Glenday, February 2004
Edguy is one of Europe’s top power metal bands, so when a new release is announced, the progressive and power metal music world sits up and takes note.

Of the 5 tracks on this 21-½ minute EP, only the title track, a very strong power metal piece, will be included on the upcoming full-length album, Hellfire Club. It will be somewhat different on the album, because the EP contains the radio edit version, which is the requisite 3-½ minute length and has slightly different lyrics.

Two of the EP-only tracks are rather ordinary. Good, but not up to Edguy’s standard. “The Life And Times Of A Bonus Track” is nothing but fun. Don’t take it seriously; the band doesn’t, and they’re simply making a point about the music business and presenting it in a humorous way. But it doesn’t bear more than about 2 or 3 listens before getting old.

And here’s the problem, folks: The second track “New Age Messiah” is probably the best track on the album from a musical standpoint. It starts with an elegant orchestral theme that is the basis for the whole song. The pure metal instrumentation kicks in after 45 seconds, and the whole 6-minute piece is very strong. The song explores a self-made "messiah," who becomes convinced of his own importance and near the end, the music stops and the chorus sings "Who the f***ing f*** is Jesus / Motherf***ing new messiah" … Now those lyrics actually fit in with the storyline, but they are enunciated with jarring clarity that, rather than advancing the story, they simply offend. I am not a religious prude and my religious beliefs are open-minded enough to accept lyrics like that, if they have a place. But this message could have been conveyed more subtly. “The Savage Union” and “The Life And Times Of A Bonus Track” also contain profanities, which Edguy has almost never done before. You can be sure that I will not be passing this music on to my teenage kids.

It’s just about worth Amazon’s asking price of $4.99. Recommended for completists.

Rating: 2.75 / 5

[See also Steph's review -ed.]

More about King Of Fools:

Track Listing: New Age Messiah / The Savage Union / Holy Water / Life And Times Of A Bonus Track

Musicians:
Tobias Sammet – vocals
Jens Ludwig – guitars
Dirk Sauer – guitars
Tobias Exxel – bass
Felix Bohnke – drums

Contact:

Website: www.edguy.nu
Note: will open new browser window

Email: proranger@mindspring.com

Discography

Savage Poetry
Kingdom of Madness (1997)
Vain Glory Opera (1998)
Theater of Salvation (1999)
Mandrake (2001)
Burning Down The Opera - Live (2003)
King Of Fools (2004)

	Edguy - King Of Fools
	Released: 2004 Label: Nuclear Blast / Nuclear Blast Cat. No.: NB 1240 Total Time: 21:30
	Reviewed by: Duncan N Glenday, February 2004 Edguy is one of Europe’s top power metal bands, so when a new release is announced, the progressive and power metal music world sits up and takes note. Of the 5 tracks on this 21-½ minute EP, only the title track, a very strong power metal piece, will be included on the upcoming full-length album, Hellfire Club. It will be somewhat different on the album, because the EP contains the radio edit version, which is the requisite 3-½ minute length and has slightly different lyrics. Two of the EP-only tracks are rather ordinary. Good, but not up to Edguy’s standard. “The Life And Times Of A Bonus Track” is nothing but fun. Don’t take it seriously; the band doesn’t, and they’re simply making a point about the music business and presenting it in a humorous way. But it doesn’t bear more than about 2 or 3 listens before getting old. And here’s the problem, folks: The second track “New Age Messiah” is probably the best track on the album from a musical standpoint. It starts with an elegant orchestral theme that is the basis for the whole song. The pure metal instrumentation kicks in after 45 seconds, and the whole 6-minute piece is very strong. The song explores a self-made "messiah," who becomes convinced of his own importance and near the end, the music stops and the chorus sings "Who the f*ing f* is Jesus / Motherf**ing new messiah" … Now those lyrics actually fit in with the storyline, but they are enunciated with jarring clarity that, rather than advancing the story, they simply offend. I am not a religious prude and my religious beliefs are open-minded enough to accept lyrics like that, if they have a place. But this message could have been conveyed more subtly. “The Savage Union” and “The Life And Times Of A Bonus Track” also contain profanities, which Edguy has almost never done before. You can be sure that I will not* be passing this music on to my teenage kids. It’s just about worth Amazon’s asking price of $4.99. Recommended for completists. Rating: 2.75 / 5 [See also Steph's review -ed.] More about King Of Fools: Track Listing: New Age Messiah / The Savage Union / Holy Water / Life And Times Of A Bonus Track Musicians: Tobias Sammet – vocals Jens Ludwig – guitars Dirk Sauer – guitars Tobias Exxel – bass Felix Bohnke – drums Contact: Website: www.edguy.nu Note: will open new browser window Email: proranger@mindspring.com Discography Savage Poetry Kingdom of Madness (1997) Vain Glory Opera (1998) Theater of Salvation (1999) Mandrake (2001) Burning Down The Opera - Live (2003) King Of Fools (2004)